Impact Newsletter - September 7, 2012

United States Provides Additional Aid to Help Syrians

Administrator Shah speaks to Syrian refugee children during his visit to the Za'atri refugee camp in Jordan.

Kamyl Bazbaz/USAID

During a visit to Jordan this week, Administrator Shah announced an additional $21 million in U.S. aid to help Syrians affected by the crisis, boosting the total of U.S. humanitarian assistance to more than $100 million to date. The new funds will be made available to the U.N. World Food Program to help provide food resources to Syrians both inside and outside of the country. Our assistance has already helped more than 700,000 people in inside of Syria. According to U.N. figures, some 2.5 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance--more than double the number assessed in March--and over 1.2 million have been internally displaced. Watch Administrator Shah's announcement or read his remarks here.

Administrator Shah Leads U.S. Delegation to Yemen Donor Conference

A farmer and his sons pose with cucumbers grown in a USAID-funded greenhouse in the Sawan neighborhood in Sana'a.

USAID

Early this week, Administrator Shah traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Amman, Jordan. In Riyadh, Administrator Shah led the U.S. Government delegation at the Yemen Donor Conference, which was co-hosted by the World Bank, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Government of the Republic of Yemen. Supporting Yemen remains a priority for the Obama Administration. Shah noted that the U.S. has "doubled assistance from 2001 and is the largest provider of humanitarian aid." Follow Administrator Shah on Twitter at @RajShah for live updates from the field.

Celebrating International Literacy Day

A young girl in the Philippines reads a book provided by a USAID-funded project.

USAID/Philippines

USAID celebrates International Literacy Day today in Washington by announcing 32 award nominees for its grant competition focused on literacy called "All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development." The Grand Challenge is a partnership with World Vision and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) that focuses on finding and funding cost-effective innovations to promote literacy among children in the primary grades in the developing world. Today's event was live-streamed, and featured messages from Administrator Shah, former first lady Laura Bush, as well as representatives from World Vision and AusAid.

USAID Returns to Burma after 24 Years

Chris Milligan is sworn in as the mission director to Burma.

Pat Adams/ USAID

Last week, USAID swore in its first mission director, Chris Milligan, to the nation in 24 years. Milligan will position a team in country that will enable USAID to directly support the Burmese people, and also more effectively engage with the government, civil society, and international partners.

Utilizing Mobile Technology to Strengthen Education

Students in rural Africa download eBooks.

Mobiles for Education

The Mobiles for Education Alliance, which includes USAID, held its second symposium this week in Washington, with a focus on partnering for scale and impact. The Alliance is focused on reducing barriers to mobile technologies in education. Learn more.

Providing Disaster Relief to Iranians

On August 11, strong earthquakes in northwest Iran destroyed and damaged hundreds of villages, causing the loss of many lives, leaving thousands without electricity, water, health care and other essential services. Last week, the White House hosted a conference call with USAID, the State Department, and the Treasury Department for interested groups from the Iranian-American and other communities, to discuss our offer of assistance and the ways American citizens can donate to the relief efforts without violating the sanctions currently in place.

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